Find your team spirit and make some frosted football cupcakes for game day! These delicious homemade chocolate cupcakes topped with rich chocolate buttercream and decorated to look like footballs are the perfect treat for any football-themed party, especially the Super Bowl!

Homemade Football Cupcakes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Game day is all about the food, and these homemade football cupcakes will steal the show. They’re not only adorable but also packed with a rich chocolate flavor that’s sure to be a hit. The soft, moist chocolate cake topped with creamy, chocolate buttercream and vanilla lace detailing is a perfect combination of flavors and textures. Best of all, they’re easy to make, so you can spend more time enjoying the game!

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (non-alkalized)
1 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
1 cup boiling water
½ cup full-fat sour cream (room temperature)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
2 cups confectioners’ sugar (sifted)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1-2 tablespoons milk (room temperature)
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two standard muffin tins with paper liners and set them aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder and espresso powder. Add the boiling water and mix until smooth. Let this mixture sit until it reaches room temperature, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
Alternate adding the dry ingredients and cocoa mixture to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Scoop the batter into the muffin tins, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the frosting: Beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add in the confectioners’ sugar. Once incorporated, add vanilla and mix. Add milk as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
Set aside ½ cup of vanilla frosting. Add cocoa powder to the remaining frosting and mix until well combined.
Frost the cupcakes with chocolate buttercream using a zigzag motion to create a diamond shape. Use the vanilla frosting to pipe “laces” on top of each cupcake, creating the signature football look.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 20 cupcakes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
Cooling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Variations

Cupcake Flavor: If you’re not a fan of chocolate, you can switch to a brown sugar or vanilla cupcake and still use the chocolate frosting for the football design.
Color Themes: Customize your cupcakes by adding team-colored liners, toppers, or food coloring to the frosting to represent your favorite team.
Mini Batch: If you’re only serving a small group, halve the ingredients to make only 10 cupcakes.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Make-Ahead: The cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container. The frosting can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week. When ready to serve, frost the cupcakes.
Freezing: Freeze the cupcakes for up to 3 months. Flash freeze for 1 hour, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before bringing them to room temperature.

FAQs

How can I make these cupcakes gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe gluten-free.

Can I use store-bought frosting instead of homemade?

Yes, if you’re short on time, feel free to use store-bought frosting and decorate with the football design.

Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the cupcakes a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Frost them on the day you plan to serve them.

How do I ensure my cupcakes are moist?

Using room-temperature sour cream and not overbaking the cupcakes are key to keeping them moist and soft.

Can I make these cupcakes without espresso powder?

Yes, the espresso powder is optional. It enhances the chocolate flavor, but you can leave it out if you prefer.

How can I make the frosting thicker?

If the frosting is too thin, simply add more powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency.

Can I freeze these cupcakes?

Yes, they freeze well! Frost the cupcakes and freeze them for up to 3 months. Make sure to thaw them before serving.

What’s the best way to pipe the frosting?

Use a piping bag with a star tip for the chocolate frosting and a small round tip for the vanilla “laces” on top of the football.

How can I make these cupcakes more festive for game day?

Consider adding edible sprinkles or using colored frosting to match your team’s colors.

Can I substitute the sour cream with something else?

You can substitute sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for a similar texture and flavor.

Conclusion

Homemade football cupcakes are a fun and delicious way to show off your team spirit at any game day gathering. The moist chocolate cupcakes paired with rich chocolate buttercream and decorated to look like footballs are sure to be a hit. Whether you’re serving them at a Super Bowl party or a casual tailgate, these cupcakes are guaranteed to score big with your guests!